How To Remove Gel Nail Polish With Sugar?

How To Remove Gel Nail Polish With Sugar?
Photo by Bryony Elena on Unsplash

Removing gel nail polish can be a challenge, but I bet you didn’t know that using a home DIY it can be much easier.

Today, I am going to show you exactly how to remove gel nail polish with sugar.

So, here’s how to do it:

Why Use Sugar For DIY Gel Nail Polish Removal?

Use Sugar as a DIY Gel Nail Polish Remover
Photo by Adrienne Andersen:

Gel polish is quick to apply and is very durable, but it can also be difficult to remove. Acetone is usually the go to product, but this chemical is harsh and can cause allergic reactions in some people.



Sugar is a staple that can be found in almost every kitchen worldwide. It is affordable, non-toxic and easy to work with. Whereas acetone and other nail polish removers can cause allergic reactions, sugar is pretty safe for use on the skin. It is thus super easy and convenient to use sugar as a nail polish remover.

What Will You Need To Make Your Sugar Based Remover?

When using sugar to help you remove your gel nail polish, you don’t need a whole lot of ingredients or time.

To get started you will need about two tablespoons of granulated sugar, a grinder, cotton balls, some kind of oil for your cuticles and a small bowl.

How Does The Sugar Gel Nail Removal Process Work?



The procedure is not a difficult one but requires you to follow the steps carefully.

  • Step 1: Start by grinding the sugar.

Simply place the two tablespoons of sugar into the grinder and let it run for about 15 seconds. The result should be fine and powdery almost like flour.

  • Step 2: Pour the ground sugar into your bowl.

Ensure that the bowl is perfectly dry as any liquid will cause the sugar to start dissolving.

  • Step 3: Use the cotton ball to rub the ground sugar on your nails.

Dip the cotton ball into the sugar, ensuring that you take up a thin coat of it. Use the ground sugar on the cotton ball to gently rub your nails in a rotating motion. The friction from this process will gradually remove the gel polish without causing damage to your nails.

Repeat the process until your nails are completely free of polish.

  • Step 4: Moisturize

Once you have successfully removed all the polish, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Then, use a cuticle oil of your choice to moisturize your nails and nail beds gently.

Are There Any Safety Concerns With This Method?

The sugar process is largely harmless once the correct steps are followed. The only drawback is that if the sugar is not properly ground, it could be abrasive to the nails and make them appear rough after you have completed the process.

This can be fixed with a quick buff and moisturizing properly once you are done cleaning your nails.

Other Easy Methods To Remove Gel Polish Without Acetone

  1. File Away The Polish – The fastest way to remove your gel polish is to remove it by filing it away. This process can be abrasive, but if you do it gently with extra care you should not cause any damage to your nails.
  1. Soak The Polish Off – This will only work for gel that is old and already peeling. If your gel manicure is lifting and peeling you can remove them by soaking them in a mixture of very warm water, soap and oil for 10-15 minutes.

The mixture will cause the gel to free up and you should be able to just lift it off with your fingers.

Wrapping It Up

Gel polish is the new long lasting trend in the nail world. Compared to other nail polishes, gel polish dries way faster and is more long lasting. While it might be more expensive, it is worth it for the durability. Because gel polish lasts so long, you might be tempted to remove it so you can get a fresh set.

While it can be removed with acetone, this can be too harsh and some people are allergic to it.

So, if you want to avoid the issues with acetone, you can utilize DIY methods. One such method is the sugar method. This is an easy way to remove gel polish without harsh chemicals. It is efficient and does not require a whole bunch of ingredients.

The only drawback to this is that it might not be as quick as using acetone or other commercial nail polish removers.

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